China Halts Critical Exports as Trade War Intensifies

[highplainsdem]

Source: NYT

China has suspended exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets, threatening to choke off supplies of components central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world.

Shipments of the magnets, essential for assembling everything from cars and drones to robots and missiles, have been halted at many Chinese ports while the Chinese government drafts a new regulatory system. Once in place, the new system could permanently prevent supplies from reaching certain companies, including American military contractors.

The official crackdown is part of China’s retaliation for President Trump’s sharp increase in tariffs that started on April 2.

On April 4, the Chinese government ordered restrictions on the export of six heavy rare earth metals, which are refined entirely in China, as well as rare earth magnets, 90 percent of which are produced in China. The metals, and special magnets made with them, can now be shipped out of China only with special export licenses.

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Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/13/business/china-rare-earths-exports.html

[walkingman]

1. I'm not anti-America or pro-China but sometimes you have to stand up to a bullies.

In this case I think America (Trump) is the bully.

[NNadir]

2. This is going to get very ugly. The critical mineral problem has been very real for a very long time but this...

...for good and for bad is going to drive the issue home.

KnR.

[Journeyman]

3. Well, well, well. Who knew? We're more dependent on them than they are on us . . .

Who knew? Certainly not the President or his sycophants.

[OldBaldy1701E]

4. They knew. (n/t)

[Lovie777]

5. Both are bullies..................

both are bad people with current bad governments. I want someone who can lead in strength as well as compassion, and these 2 aren't it.